I cannot explain the ins and outs of the issue, but President Kirchner (wife of Argentina's previous president) wants to transfer all funds held by the country's courts from the Banco Ciudad to a national bank. This would obviously reduce the holdings of the Municipal Bank. The nation seems to be divided politically, nearly half and half, with the divisions being even more severe than those in the USA, if such a thing can be imagined.
The sole English-language newspaper available here is the Buenos Aires Herald. It reported (Sep. 12, 2012, p. 4):
A group of employees of Banco Ciudad staged a demonstration yesterday morning in front of one of the bank's branches located at the intersection of Corrientes avenue and Uruguay street [actually it was at Florida] in downtown Buenos Aires. Workers protested against a Kirchnerite bill that aims to remove court system deposits from the municipal bank and transfer them to Banco Nacion. The initiative is expected to be voted by Senators today.
The presence of the TV satellite truck signaled that the demonstration was being covered by the media. When I saw newspaper photographers with big SLR cameras, I felt safe getting mine out and pretending I was press (likely nobody was fooled).
How the TV announcer kept his thoughts straight in the midst of all the turmoil and deafening noise beat me. Large drums were being used rhythmically, three air horns punctuating important beats, and music and talking blared over large loud speakers mounted on a truck. It seems that demonstrations can rent all the equipment they need.
This demonstration was supported by bank workers, many wearing t-shirts. The majority of the demonstrators were middle class or above, while only a few appeared to opt for more radical dress.
The bodies of the impressive bass drums were made of plastic, and likely relative light in weight. The drummers were most effective and well-disciplined.
How do you interest people in a demonstration in support of which deposits go into which bank? Well, you hire several pretty young dancers to gyrate in a dignified sort of way, almost dancing in place, following the rhythmic pounding of all the drums. Dress the gals in short shorts, possibly a tight tank top (preferably rolled up a bit at the waist), put them in impossibly high heels, and ensure that they have long flowing straight hair. In most males, this apparently arouses a renewed interest in local banking issues.
The air horns (three shown here) were played rhythmically by beating the lower end (on a stem) against the palm of the left hand. Loud. Deafeningly so.
Some women watching the dancing could not help themselves . . . they also moved rhythmically to the beat, quietly dancing in place, beaming from ear to ear. While making their point, the demonstrators were also enjoying a party-like atmosphere. Police were a block away, interested only in directing traffic.
Expressions of interest in US culture are at times quite visible.
Almost lost in this photo is a young women standing quietly with a microphone, actually yelling out slogans and concerns over the loud speakers.
This truck's loud speakers, mounting on top at the back and basically hidden by the waving flag, ensured that the speaker could be heard. I learned not to stand near the truck, even with my hearing aids left in but turned off.
This woman just finished her impassioned harangue. Some people can sure get worked up when given a mic.
The long hair, the current fashion for all young women, is also essential when encouraging people to ponder bank deposit issues. (I see no short haircuts for women.)
Leaflets were pressed upon onlookers, and thousands of other leaflets were simply tossed into the air and then most likely ignored by all but the street sweepers.
The next day, while walking in an entirely different part of Buenos Aires, I came across a sign supporting the Municipal Bank, Banco Ciudad.
